14 September 2016

Let's Bee Social #142

HAPPY! HAPPY! HAPPY!


This happy mail arrived last week. And made me smile.
These were chosen from the beautiful selection of modern fabrics from Mad About Patchwork in anticipation of making them into my new Flower quilt design.


Back in February I started keeping a few emails in a special folder.
The name of the folder is HAPPY.

Sometimes I struggle with the blues. It's a lovely array of colours, for sure. But not a very nice feeling. So I thought it would be nice to start keeping some of the emails I get that make me particularly HAPPY. Then when I am feeling a little down I can re-read through some of those emails and be reminded that things are not so bad after all. I have my friends to get me through!

The very first email I saved was from Cathy of A Quilting Chick. Cathy joined me in the Dog Gone Cute quilt along. And then she also took on the Ugly Christmas Sweaters quilt along. She decided to make a great big quilt. Because she was making extra blocks, Cathy sent out a call for Christmas themed fabric to feature in those sweater blocks. So I sent her the few fabrics that I had hanging around in my stash. And she has made the most beautiful Ugly Christmas Sweaters you can imagine!

I have saved emails from people wanting to share the quilts they have made using my patterns. Emails from others who have asked if they could use quilt designs and blocks for a charity project, to make a quilt for a customer, and those who just want to say how much they enjoyed making from a pattern or class that I have taught.

There are a few emails from people who have questions ranging from how do I perform my wavy line quilting to what type of thread do I use. And there are emails from those who are just sharing a compliment or kind word.


So today, I just want to say THANK YOU! Thank you for all your friendly comments left here on my blog. Thank you for your emails. Thank you for sharing your hearts on the Sew Fresh Quilts Facebook and Instagram posts and for all the encouraging words!

And THANK YOU for being such a dear friend!

Just remember that it might not seem like much when you leave a comment on someone's blog. But for some of us, it just might be bringing a big bunch of sunshine to chase away the blues!



What am I working on this week?

I chose my fabrics for the MOD Bear Paw QAL.
Cut everything out. And started to sew!







The MOD Bear Paw QAL started on September 3rd!
You can check out the introductory post here.


There's still time to join in!!!











Do you know my good friend Bernie of Needle and Foot?

I just wanted to share the news of her new link up!

She will be hosting a Handmade Halloween link up
at the beginning of October
and is hoping to gather lots of bloggers posts about
Halloween decorations, costumes and quilts
so it is a round up of inspiration on October 4th.





Now... It's your turn for Show and Tell!!!
What have you been working on?




Sew Fresh Quilts

    • Click on at least a few of the others who have linked up.
    • In your blog post, please include a link back to my blog.
    • Grab the "Let's Bee Social!" button from above and put it on your sidebar. This way others who visit your blog that week can join in the fun!  Share the news of this new linky and Let's Bee Social!
    • Following Sew Fresh Quilts is not required. But it sure would BEE nice!












Keep On Quilting On!










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29 comments:

Deb@newcreativestate.wordpress.com said...

Those gorgeous fabrics make me happy too and I'm only looking at them on a screen! Can't wait to see your new Flower quilt!

Sew Much For Free Time said...

That's a super happy bundle! It's impossible to not smile looking at it!

Long ago, before email,was a household word (really!!!) I started a file folder full of clippings, cards, pictures and notes that made me happy. I, too, pulled it out on the blah days for a little lift. I ran across it recently, transferring files from one draw to another, and purging in the process. It was good to look through and remember who I was then, and to learn that many of the same things still bring a smile to my face.

Thanks for hosting Let's Bee Social! It's a highlight of the week!

Mari said...

You make us happy too, Lorna! Your quilts and posts always make me smile. Have a wonderful day!

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

You make others happy all the time. You are a kind and generous person, and you do such a lot for the quilting community. You make the most wonderful patterns, and then you give them away, and host a QAL in the process, giving so many people so much pleasure by joining in. You give a lot of others pleasure too, all the ones who join in but don't blog, all those who don't join in but really enjoy following the process. AND, you host Let's Bee Social every week, giving us bloggers a chance to connect with others and share what we are doing with a wider audience.
Never underestimate your part in the community, and how well thought of you are, and how much you are loved. I could never envision online blogging without you. As a brand new blogger you left lovely comment on my blog, it gave me such a thrill, more so because it was you, and you are always so kind and generous with your comments too.
Bee happy Lorna, you are a ray of sunshine who lights up the world for others, shine some of that light on yourself.
Sending smiles and hugs,
Kate x

France Nadeau ❅ inspiration imagination creation said...

This is a beautiful text, Lorna. Reading you and seeing what you do makes me smile.

Little Quiltsong said...

Loved your post, Lorna! Remember though - anytime - coffee's always on!

Anne said...

Thank you so much for sharing these very personal feelings. We all need a little encouragement and kindness from each other. Thanks for reminding me that a kind word shared here or there can have such a huge impact in someone's little day. Like Saint Mother Teresa said, "do small things with great love".

Tish Stemple said...

As soon as I saw those bright happy colors, I wondered if they would be for your flower quilt. And it just dawns on me, that might be a great pattern for David and I to show off those hand dyed fabrics we just created. Of course we would need to dye some greens and I need to sell him on the idea :) And I think keeping special emails that makes you happy is a great idea. I have folders with names on them in my email so that I can hang on to things I want to keep that make me happy. I cherish all the positive energy that I encountered in the quilting community. And I'm happy to say you are one of those bright lights for me.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

it is always nice to receive comments - it lets you know that people are really reading your blog for one thing. Looking forward to seeing your new flower quilt and hope one day soon I will have time to start the black bird quilt.

Andree G. Faubert said...

Hi Lorna, the idea of keeping a folder of special emails is a great idea. I had one when I was working in a particularly tough job. It had all the thank you email from people I had helped. It was great to go back to when I felt that my job was thankless.

I've been seeing your quilt patterns everywhere! Congrats. I hope that makes you happy too!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

I understand about the blues sometimes, a happy folder is a good idea to help lift yourself. I kept a binder before the internet of pictures that made me smile. Now I have Pinterest boards, LOL!! Thank you for hosting your link parties, and for your inspiration!!

mangozz said...

I also save e-mails in a special folder and go back and read them from time to time. I didn't know others did that too. You make the most beautiful patterns and quilts and you are so generous with your time and talent. I always look forward to reading your blog and the Let's Be Social link ups too. I am on Pinterest too and your quilts are really popular there and receive lots of repins. I have had problems with the "blues" too for many years and I totally understand. E-mail me anytime if you'd like. My name is Sharon.

Quilter Kathy said...

Quilty friends are indeed the BEST kind!
So excited that I was able to register for your workshop in October... I'm finally going to make your elephant quilt! We are all looking forward to your visit!

Sewmom18 said...

Thanks for all you share on your blog it is one of a few I visit on a regular bases. I have very limited time to spend on the computer and am not good at typing so I don't always leave a comment.

Diana @ Red Delicious Life said...

A Happy folder is such a great idea! Your post is a great reminder on how commenting on someone else's blog can make a difference. And don't forget, you make so many of your readers happy with all of your wonderful posts!

Renae Kerrigan said...

I subscribe to your blog via email, and seeing your posts and beautiful projects always brighten my day. Thank you for spreading the happy!

Ioleen said...

Thank you, Lorna for all the patterns you have created and all the quilt alongs. You are one amazing lady!!!!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Lorna and thank you for the party! Every comment is in deed important and makes us happy! Best thing is to get feedback and wishes from friends and readers. You have there bundle of really happy fabrics! x Teje

Unknown said...

You are not alone in this big blogging world! There are lots of us in small rooms behind sewing machines and in front of laptops being inspired by the colours, designs and techniques we see around us. It can be a lonely spot, but remembering all the great online and in person relationships in our lives is a great way to perk up :)

Sarah@123quilt said...

I think more people struggle with the blues than we know. It takes courage to admit it and even more courage to do something about it. I love that you have a "Happy" folder! That's a great idea!

Kathy H said...

Hi, Lorna. I was glad to read your post today. When I first read blogs, I never commented. I thought these talented people don't know me and wouldn't care about what I had to say. Then I found myself saying to myself how beautiful a quilt or project was, how funny a story that was told, or how wonderful it was just to look at a project partly done or even a pile of beautiful fabrics. So if these all made me happy, I should probably say so. So I now will comment and it probably brings a smile to the blogger too. I do enjoy reading your blog and today enjoyed seeing those pretty fabrics and the different quilts you are working on. Thanks for sharing.

Lisa J. said...

Just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know I've splurged on some fabric for the quilt along so I'll be straggling along with you. I say straggling because I'm sure I wont keep up.....but thats o.k. I'll post on it soon.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Yeah for happy mail!! I'm glad that you have happy e-mails to pick you up when you're feeling blue.

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine said...

Thank you so much for sharing these lovely thoughts with us and a HUGE thanks for hosting such an amazing link-up each week!

Georgi said...

LOVE the fabrics in your Happy Mail!! It's been so much fun following your journey ~ I think you were one of the first blogs I followed when I started quilting. So Thank YOU for sharing with us!

Bernie Kringel said...

Lorna, you are so wise to collect these bits of positivity so you have them when you need a boost. Love the rainbow of fabrics you showed us today - they are perfect for your flower quilt.

Thanks for the shoutout for Handmade Halloween! I appreciate it and your continued support. :-)

Sewmotion said...

And a huge thank you back for being so inspirational, and also for hosting this great Linky, its such a great way of getting us quilters together and sharing our makes, something many of us don't get to do in 'real life'. Those fabrics are so perfect for your next quilt, I adore Blueberry Park too!

Karen Ackva said...

That is so sweet of you to deticate your post. I think we all get the blues and your idea with the Happy Folder is a great way to deal with it! I look forward to getting back to my Ugly Sweaters btw. Hugs, Karen

Tawa said...

I just read your post, and got a little teary. Have a hug from down under, a genuine kiwi, hearty hug. May your days be filled with sunshine, friends, and finished quilts. And many thanks from a long-time follower, because so often its reading through your link-up that helps me get through a tough mid-week.

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